Our History
Sumitomo Chemical Company (SCC) celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. From the beginning, SCC followed the socially-minded business philosophy of the Sumitomo family, passed down by 17th-century Masatomo Sumitomo. SCC began in 1915 by producing fertilizer from copper smelter emissions, solving pollution while meeting agricultural needs. Since then, SCC has grown into a global corporation with nearly 30,000 employees, while always upholding its founding principles.
The Sumitomo Chemical Group includes over 160 subsidiaries worldwide and operates in four sectors—Agro & Life Solutions, ICT & Mobility Solutions, Advanced Medical Solutions, and Essential & Green Materials. We manufacture products that support many industries and improve people’s daily lives.
100 YEARS IN BUSINESS
2015 marked 100 years since Sumitomo Chemical began as a fertilizer manufacturing plant with the House of Sumitomo. Over time, we grew from a small family business into a global, innovative firm, improving people’s quality of life. The following are highlights of Sumitomo Chemical’s inspiring path to becoming today’s global chemical company.
Sumitomo Fertilizer Works
Sumitomo Fertilizer Works, predecessor of Sumitomo Chemical, was founded to reduce copper smelter pollution and produce fertilizers for farmers. The company embraced corporate social responsibility long before the term became popular, contributing to society through its business activities. Construction, production, and marketing began in 1913 under the Sumitomo General Head Office. The first shipment of calcium superphosphate was sold in October 1915. Ten years later, the firm became The Sumitomo Fertilizer Works, Ltd.
Sumitomo Chemical Company
Sumitomo Fertilizer Works initially began producing fertilizer to reduce pollution from copper smelter emissions. But growth soon revealed new uses for sulfuric acid. Producing ammonium sulfate, which uses twice as much sulfuric acid as calcium superphosphate, became one solution. The company also expanded into nitric acid, methanol, formalin, and other industrial chemicals, laying the foundation for future growth. In 1934, the company officially became Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. In 1944, it merged with Japan Dyestuff Manufacturing. This merger moved Sumitomo Chemical even further into fine chemicals, including dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
Agricultural Chemicals
Sumitomo Chemical expanded into agricultural chemicals — household insecticides and agrochemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides — in the 1950s. The first insecticidal product for household use was Pynamin (allethrin), while the first agrochemical product was Parathion, an imported organophosphorus insecticide. Following parathion, SCC developed Sumithion (fenitrothion), which replaced parathion and was well accepted in the market. Strong sales of insecticides and safe agrochemicals helped Sumitomo Chemical’s Agricultural Chemicals Sector drive growth in fine chemicals.
Growth of the Pharmaceutical Sector
In the 1950s, Sumitomo Chemical’s Pharmaceuticals Sector began to expand through joint ventures with overseas corporations. New pharmaceuticals such as neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular drugs, as well as anti-inflammatory analgesics, were launched. At the same time, the company’s synthetic pharmaceutical technology was demonstrated through the development of new production methods for Indometacin and Diazepam. By the early 1980s, pharmaceutical sales grew sharply, making the Pharmaceutical Sector a key part of SCC’s business.
Entering the Field of Petrochemicals
In 1958, Sumitomo Chemical built one of Japan’s first ethylene plants in Ehime Prefecture, entering petrochemicals. A second plant in Chiba expanded production capacity and supported the launch of many derivative products. The oil crisis of the 1970s hit Japan’s petrochemical industry hard, forcing SCC to restructure its two domestic plants. Meanwhile, construction of the Singapore Petrochemical Complex gave SCC its first overseas petrochemical project and valuable global experience. Lessons from Singapore guided later projects, including Rabigh in Saudi Arabia, SCC’s first venture in an oil-producing country. This marked a new stage in Sumitomo Chemical’s global strategy.
IT Related Chemicals
Sumitomo Chemical established its IT-related Chemicals Sector in October 2001, positioning the IT-related chemicals business as “one of the pillars supporting the company’s future.” South Korea, China, and Taiwan were identified as markets with the greatest potential, and production companies were established in these areas to actively expand business. With the dramatic increase in the use of LCD panels on flat-screen TVs, personal computers, and mobile phones, Sumitomo Chemical recorded strong growth in sales of LCD display materials such as polarizing films and color filters.
A Global Company for A Better Tomorrow
The world faces many problems today, including limited resources, energy demands, and feeding over seven billion people. At Sumitomo, we address these global challenges by developing next-generation businesses in Agro & Life, ICT, Medical, and Green Materials. We practice globally integrated management, guided by strong values, a robust HR system, and our principle of sustainable chemistry. Inspired by our slogan, "Creating what Earth Needs Next," we aim to grow with society while helping solve global challenges. And using our expertise across chemistry, Sumitomo Chemical looks ahead to its next 100 years of sustainable growth and innovation.